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Offers a comprehensive study of the Epistles of "2 Peter" and "Jude", which provides a glimpse into the turbulent life of the early Christian communities. This volume offers a commentary that takes readers inside groups located at the very edges of Christianity, in contact with the wider Roman world and Greek culture of the day.

"Haggai and Zechariah 1-8, Volume 25B" in the acclaimed "Anchor Bible" part of the Scripture known as the Minor Prophets, were written during a critical period in Israel's history, the momentous return of the Jews from Babylonian exile. This book considers the "Book of Haggai" and the "Book of Zechariah" in a linguistic, and social context.

Offers descriptions of the people, places, customs, and noteworthy features of the language of "I Samuel".

"Esther", the biblical book named after the beautiful Jewish woman chosen by the Persian King Xerxes to be queen, is a story of love, political intrigue, and religious faithfulness. This volume offers a treatment of scholarly issues and provides an explanation of the popular Jewish festival of Purim.

"Lamentations" is traditionally thought to have been written by the prophet Jeremiah. This volume gives evidence against Jeremiah's authorship and suggests that the poems should be treated as an intelligible unity, most likely written by an eyewitness to the events described.

"The Book of Numbers" is an account of how the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after receiving the Ten Commandments of Mount Sinai. This volume unravels the complexity and confusing details in this Old Testament book.

"Exodus" is the heart of the Hebrew Bible, the defining moment in Israel's birth as a people, the dramatic triumph of their God. This volume offers an exploration and analysis of the book's first eighteen chapters.

"The Letter to Titus", one of the three "Pastoral Epistles" of the New Testament, has become the ground of intense controversy - theologically, sociologically, even politically. This volume guides readers through the shoals of contemporary controversy among scholars, dealing definitively with issues of authorship, and the purpose of the Pastorals.

Exploring explications of "Ephesians", this book concludes that it was intended for Gentile Christians converted after Paul's visits to Ephesus. It reexamines the relationship between Israel and the church, discounting the thesis that "Ephesians" suggests an "early Catholic," or high-ecclesiastic or sacramental doctrine.

Discusses the major Johannine questions - of authorship, composition, dating, the relationship of John to the Synoptics. This volume analyzes, in the appendixes, the meaning, use, and frequency of certain key words and phrases that occur in "John", and examines the differences between the Johannine and Synoptic treatments of the miracle stories.

Re-creates the turbulent age of the birth of Christianity and examines the myriad "outside" influences - from cold, rational Hellenistic philosophy to exclusive, ethereal Gnostic thought - that often threatened the evolution of Christian theology.

Traverses the shoals of legal thought and liturgical practice in ancient Israel. The author explains the role of the Tabernacle of the Wilderness as the all-important center of Israelite worship, the locus of the priestly orders, and practices of purity to which the congregation repaired for penitence and reconciliation, restoration and renewal.

Ezekiel's prophecies and visions transport us to almost indescribable realms, completely uncharted territory this side of heaven. This book exhibits the characteristic care and special sensitivity of a world-renowned scholar.

Presents a commentary on the biblical book of Psalms. This book offers translation of the most beloved collection of poetry in Judeo-Christian sacred Scriptures. It interprets Hebrew poetry in light of rich linguistic and cultural evidence.

Offers a chronicle of the raging conflicts that tore the United Kingdom of Israel apart, creating the rival nations of Israel to the north and Judah to the south. This volume tells of the time of the great prophecies of Elijah and Elisha, and of the legendary conquerors of not only the Jews, but the whole of the Middle East.

A study of Proverbs that includes a survey of the collections of ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature. It covers such themes as the origins of personified wisdom, what wisdom is, and where wisdom can be heard.

An acknowledged expert on the Hebrew Bible, Thomas Dozeman offers a fresh translation of the Hebrew and Greek texts of the book of Joshua and explores the nature, function, and causes of the religious violence depicted therein. By blending the distinct teachings of Deuteronomy and the Priestly literature, Dozeman provides a unique interpretation of holy war as a form of sacred genocide, arguing that, since peace in the promised land required the elimination of the populations of all existent royal cities, a general purging of the land accompanied the progress of the ark of the covenant. This essential work of religious scholarship demonstrates how the theme of total genocide is reinterpreted as partial conquest when redactors place Joshua, an independent book, between Deuteronomy and Judges. The author traces the evolution of this reinterpretation of the central themes of religious violence while providing a comparison of the two textual versions of Joshua and an insightful analysis of the book's reception history.

Informed by the literature and language of the ancient Near East, this commentary to Chapters 1 to 12 of the biblical Book of Judges provides a literary and theological analysis of some of Scripture's most stirring narratives and verses. It also includes a comprehensive introduction that surveys issues and approaches in the study of Judges.

Captures the ominous, yet hopeful spirit of Joel's prophecy. This volume offers insights into how Joel's words relate to the modern world.

Offers an introduction to the background, text, and context of the book of "Acts", as well as chapter-by-chapter notes and comments in which are provided insights and answers to questions that have long plagued preachers and parishioners, teachers and students.

Distilled over centuries, the biblical book of "Ecclesiastes" offers us the time-tested advice of Israel's sages. This book offers an interpretation of this collection of ancient wisdom.

Reinvigorates the basic laws of society with their life-giving power: the Shema and the Great Commandment.

This volume completes Bible scholar Michael V. Foxs comprehensive commentary on the book of Proverbs. As in his previous volume on the early chapters of Proverbs, the author here translates and explains in accessible language the meaning and literary qualities of the sayings and poems that comprise the final chapters. He gives special attention to comparable sayings in other wisdom books, particularly from Egypt, and makes extensive use of medieval Hebrew commentaries, which have received scant attention in previous Proverb commentaries. In separate sections set in smaller type, the author addresses technical issues of text and language for interested scholars.The authors essays at the end of the commentary view the book of Proverbs in its entirety and investigate its ideas of wisdom, ethics, revelation, and knowledge. Out of Proverbs great variety of sayings from different times, Fox shows, there emerges a unified vision of life, its obligations, and its potentials.

In the final nine chapters of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus increasingly struggles with his disciples' incomprehension of his unique concept of suffering messiahship and with the opposition of the religious leaders of his day. The Gospel recounts the events that led to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion by the Roman authorities, concluding with an enigmatic ending in which Jesus' resurrection is announced but not displayed. In this volume New Testament scholar Joel Marcus offers a new translation of Mark 8-16 as well as extensive commentary and notes. He situates the narrative within the context of first-century Palestine and the larger Greco-Roman world; within the political context of the Jewish revolt against the Romans (66-73 C.E.); and within the religious context of the early church's sometimes rancorous engagement with Judaism, pagan religion, and its own internal problems. For religious scholars, pastors, and interested lay people alike, the book provides an accessible and enlightening window on the second of the canonical Gospels.

Although it appears second in the "New Testament", "Mark" is generally recognized as the first Gospel to be written. This work points out, the "Gospel of Mark" can be understood only against the backdrop of the apocalyptic atmosphere of the Jewish rebellions of 66-73 ce, during which the Roman army destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem (70 ce).

In Philippians John Reumann offers both classical approaches and new methods of understanding this New Testament book. With fresh commentary on the social world and rhetorical criticism, and special focus on the contributions of the Philippian house churches to Pauls work and early Christian mission, Reumann clarifies Pauls attitudes toward and interactions with the Philippians.Departing from traditional readings of Philippians in light of Acts, Reumann allows Paul to speak in his own right. His three letters from Ephesus shed new light on relationships, and we come to see how he approves some aspects of the dominant culture of friendship in Greco-Roman Philippi while disapproving others. He seeks to help the Philippians discern how to be citizens of the heavenly kingdom and also Caesars state, though there is an undercurrent of Christ vs. Caesar. Scholars, students, and general readers alike will find much of interest in John Reumanns deeply researched and insightful new volume.

Featuring a translation of the "First Corinthians", this work explains the religious meaning of this Pauline epistle. It discusses many of the usual introductory problems associated with the epistle, including issues of its authorship, time of composition, and purpose.

Featuring a commentary on Leviticus, this trilogy explains ethical values concealed in Israel's rituals. It brings us to the end of the book and its innovations, among which are the evolution of the festival calendar with its focus on folk traditions, and the jubilee, the priestly answer to the socio-economic problems of their time.

Tobit is the story of a righteous, devout, and charitable man who - blind and miserable - sends his son, Tobiah, to collect on an old loan. This book draws upon an analysis of the book's grammar and philology, literary forms and context, religious and social situation, and historical context, and offers the commentary available on Tobit.